How to seal my mouth. Chin Strap doesn't work.

[ChuckChuckChuck]

I've been using a CPAP system that blows warm humid air into my nose, but the air blows out my mouth. I tried a chin strap, which keep the teeth clenched, but the air still puffs out through my lips. I tried to hold my mouth shut with some tape and my cheeks got pretty puffed out like a balloon, and maybe I should just accept it. But the tape that I used fell off during the night. Chuck

[LSAT]

Tape your mouth or switch to a Full Face Mask...those are your choices

[grybeard77]

I also tried a chin strap, didn't work at all. Taped my mouth, and with a beard and mustache it did not work.
I then got a cervical collar and for the last few months it has kept my mouth closed 95% of the night.
Works for me, MIGHT work for you..

[yaconsult]

Go to Walmart and buy this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nexcare-Gent ... s/19898482 for $3.27 for two rolls. This is actually 3M Micropore tape which sticks to skin like nothing else and is mainly used for attaching bandages.

Cut off a 2 or 3 inch strip and apply the tape horizontally across your rolled-in lips. It only sticks once, so if you misplace it start over with a new strip. Fold over a quarter-inch at the end of the tape onto itself before you apply it to leave a tab that you can pull on when you want to remove the tape in the morning. Do not buy the fabric version that is often right next to it in the store - the paper version feels much better on the skin because it breathes more.

[Jay Aitchsee]

Or, you can try this:

Here's an item I suggest rather than tape. It's a stretch headband made from a thin, soft cotton like material similar to that of a T shirt. It is double thickness (a tube), but still thin. The material is stretch and inside at one edge there is a narrow elastic band. It doesn't unravel when cut. It is about 2.5 inches wide and fits nicely between the nose and chin. I think it would fit most without being too tight or loose. Wear it just like a headband only pulled down over the mouth and ears. I cut holes for my ears. It does not interfere with a P10 or Dreamwear nasal mask. When it is worn with the internal band down, it tends to keep the bottom lip closed. It is porous so that chipmunk cheeks are less likely to form, but at the same time, it restricts the flow and reduces mouth leaks considerably. It also softens the noise of mouth leaks and discourages mouth inhalation. I've worn it for about two months and it has reduced my average nasal mask leaks (mouth) from an average of about 12L/m to about 5 rarely exceeding the large leak mark. I've see them sold at various places including grocery and drug stores. They cost about $5 for a set of five and are washable. One set should easily last a year. Here's some at Amazon.



P.S. I put the head band on and marked it with a pen to determine where to cut the ear holes.
Like this:

[ChicagoGranny]

I've worn it for about two months and it has reduced my average nasal mask leaks (mouth) from an average of about 12L/m to about 5 rarely exceeding the large leak mark.

Interesting.

Have you been able to zoom in on the leak line and determine when your mouth was opened? If so, what were the leaks levels with mouth open? Did the breathing waveform look good during these periods?

[bonjour]

Try placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth and breath, especially during the day, and breath through your nose. This mostly stops nasal air from entering your mouth. It will take time.

[Jay Aitchsee]

I've worn it for about two months and it has reduced my average nasal mask leaks (mouth) from an average of about 12L/m to about 5 rarely exceeding the large leak mark.

Interesting.
Have you been able to zoom in on the leak line and determine when your mouth was opened? If so, what were the leaks levels with mouth open? Did the breathing waveform look good during these periods?

Yes, below is a graphic I posted not too long ago that is fairly typical. My average leak rate since wearing the band is around 5L/min. The plateau shaped leaks are an indication of mouth leaks. The flow rate waveforms during leaks at this low level are essentially normal with only a small, but discernible, amount of the "flattening" as depicted in the examples at the beginning of this thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112758&st=0&sk=t&sd ... i#p1085906. As the leak becomes greater, the flattening increases.
Leaks that approach 24L/min, such as that one starting around 0200, for me, are mostly mask leaks or a combination of mask and mouth. I know this because they tend to become disturbing and I become aware of the leak and its origin.

Here is a sample P10 leak graphic (P10, S9, Pillow Setting): The average leak rate (dotted line) for the night is 4.85. The leaks are comprised mostly of mouth leaks (plateau shaped). Notice there is some time of 0.0 leak rate after 03:00. Since these leaks were not disturbing and were well below the cautionary 24L/m, I consider them satisfactory.

[ChicagoGranny]

They cost about $5 for a set of five and are washable. One set should easily last a year. Here's some at Amazon.

Thanks for the idea, Jay. I might do a trial. Do you think there would be any advantage to using the heavier Scunci Active Headband over the Scunci Headwrap? https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=s ... nci%20head

My Innomed Hybrid works so well. But, it does take space when traveling, and I always take a backup in the checked luggage. There are some excellent nasal pillows on the market now that are much lighter and less "strappage" than the Innomed Hybrid.

[Wulfman...]

I've been using a CPAP system that blows warm humid air into my nose, but the air blows out my mouth. I tried a chin strap, which keep the teeth clenched, but the air still puffs out through my lips. I tried to hold my mouth shut with some tape and my cheeks got pretty puffed out like a balloon, and maybe I should just accept it. But the tape that I used fell off during the night. Chuck

Turn your humidity setting down or off.
Do nasal cleaning before bedtime. Too much warm humidity can actually cause nasal congestion.
And, most of all........
Get a full face mask. You won't lose your therapy air that way.


Den

.

[Jay Aitchsee]

They cost about $5 for a set of five and are washable. One set should easily last a year. Here's some at Amazon.

Thanks for the idea, Jay. I might do a trial. Do you think there would be any advantage to using the heavier Scunci Active Headband over the Scunci Headwrap? https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=s ... nci%20head

My Innomed Hybrid works so well. But, it does take space when traveling, and I always take a backup in the checked luggage. There are some excellent nasal pillows on the market now that are much lighter and less "strappage" than the Innomed Hybrid.

I dunno, Granny. Pick up a pack and see. I had to switch to pillows because the headgear of the FFM was causing painful nerve irritation at the back of my head. To my surprise, the P10 worked fairly well and I set about "teaching" my tongue to stay in the proper position to eliminate mouth leaks, with some limited success. I was helping someone who needed a mouth cover and couldn't tolerate tape and I had the Scunci headbands on hand so I thought I would try one to see if it would work. It worked so well for me that I never stopped using them. As I said or implied above, it doesn't totally eliminate leaks, but reduces them considerably - for me, down into the 5L/min average range which is quite tolerable - no dry mouth, no noise from the air escaping from the mouth and no chipmunk cheeks. I haven't thought about going back to a FFM (or tape) again.
On the other hand, I have yet to hear from anyone who has tried the headbands and liked them. One person posted that they had tried them but that they didn't work out and I think PR posted that he has used something similar, but that's about it. There was a guy quite a long time ago that was promoting something similar as chin strap mouth cover combination that was kind of like a mummy head wrap so the idea isn't exactly new.
The light headband slows the leak enough to be tolerable for me, yet is comfortable to wear. A heavier headband could slow the leak even further, but it might be at the expense of comfort. You'll just have to try them and see. It certainly would have a lot less strappage than the Hybrid, for sure.
As a bonus, the pillow/headband combination reduced my Flow Limitations a lot and allows me to use a much lower pressure than was required with a FFM for effective treatment. I went from 9-10 with FFM to 6-7 with pillows.

[palerider]

I think PR posted that he has used something similar, but that's about it.

yes, after getting a NG tube last year, I've had some instances of mouth leaks, whether that was coincidence or not, I dunno... but I tried the headband, and it helps quite a bit.

like Jay, I remember, someone else in the past promoting using a headband over the lips.... it makes sense, since chin straps don't work because teeth aren't airtight... but if you can encourage your lips to stay closed, it does help.

[zonker]

On the other hand, I have yet to hear from anyone who has tried the headbands and liked them. .

jay, i'm sorry, i've never thought to tell you directly that i like your system. but i've posted it in reply to a few others when speaking of dry mouth.

I LIKE IT! however, i found that using it as described causes me to have a bit of saliva leakage by morning time. easy to fix; i just use a a small 1" x 1" gauze under the band and it works a treat.

also, i trade out the bands for a fresh one every 2-3 days. no worries, as popping them in the laundry shrinks them back down again.

[Jay Aitchsee]

On the other hand, I have yet to hear from anyone who has tried the headbands and liked them. .

jay, i'm sorry, i've never thought to tell you directly that i like your system. but i've posted it in reply to a few others when speaking of dry mouth.
I LIKE IT! however, i found that using it as described causes me to have a bit of saliva leakage by morning time. easy to fix; i just use a a small 1" x 1" gauze under the band and it works a treat.
also, i trade out the bands for a fresh one every 2-3 days. no worries, as popping them in the laundry shrinks them back down again.

Hey, Zonker. Thanks for the feedback. Good to know.

[kempo]

I have been using this for 7 years with great success.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nexcare-Flex ... s/19898479